Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tender Oil Tank II
I will stop by Mike's Hobby Shop here in Kingwood this week to order some Grimy Black water-based paint for finishing the tender oil tank; the shop only carries the oil-based variety, but they're great about ordering items. Grimy Black is useful not only for touchup on my 0-6-0 (especially when I remove the old lettering) and, of course, the oil tank, but is effective, when mixed when Concrete color, in coloring "asphalt" roads.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tender Oil Tank
I've started work on the oil tank for the 0-6-0 tender, using styrene. The tank is essentially a box that will cover the tender's coal bunker. I made the box out of styrene and have filed the corners to round them. All that's left to add is the filling spout and vent pipe, and paint.
Also, while I'm doing this, I'll probably take the opportunity to reletter the tender for "Gulf Harbor Terminal" rather than the current "Idaho & Palouse", which definitely won't fit on a Texas railroad! As before, I will use dry transfer white lettering, which has proved very durable; the current lettering has been on since 1991 with no problems.
Also, while I'm doing this, I'll probably take the opportunity to reletter the tender for "Gulf Harbor Terminal" rather than the current "Idaho & Palouse", which definitely won't fit on a Texas railroad! As before, I will use dry transfer white lettering, which has proved very durable; the current lettering has been on since 1991 with no problems.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Subtropical Weather
Our back yard in Kingwood, Texas. We thought we'd left this kind of weather back in Idaho.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Backdrop Postponed
I've decided I'm not ready to put up the backdrop yet, so my Lowe's purchase will wait. I still have some more track to lay, so I'll hold off until that's completed. One project at a time, except...
...I will "convert" my 0-6-0 to an oil burner. It looks like a fairly simple job. I plan to use styrene to modify the coal bunker...cover it, essentially...per some old Model Railroader prototype drawings I found in my files, in particular an 0-6-0 from the Portland, Oregon terminal railway.
...I will "convert" my 0-6-0 to an oil burner. It looks like a fairly simple job. I plan to use styrene to modify the coal bunker...cover it, essentially...per some old Model Railroader prototype drawings I found in my files, in particular an 0-6-0 from the Portland, Oregon terminal railway.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Fine Tuning Trackwork, Etc.
Track
I've spent quite a bit of time the last couple of days testing the track I've laid so far. And so far, so good. I've had to make some adjustments, especially at a particular pair of closely-placed turnouts, but these weren't too difficult. My NW-2 diesel seems to run through just about anything without balking, but my 0-6-0 steam engine is pickier, so I use it for my initial testing. It is very adept at finding any spots where the gauge is a hair too wide or a spike hasn't been driven deeply enough and it protruding. Thus, when the steam loco rolls smoothly through a section of trackwork or a turnout, I'm satisfied it's safe to "sign off" on the work.
Backdrop
I plan to get over to Lowe's tomorrow and, among other things, buy backdrop material. I'm going to use Masonite, 1/8" if available. Since my layout is "semi-modular" I plan to cut the backdrop material the same length as each section. It will be 16" high (my layout is 42" high). My corners are too tight to allow bending Masonite, even with soaking it (as Darrell suggested), so I'm going to use the back of linoleum for the corners, just as I did on my Idaho layout. On that layout I blended the segments, including the linoleum, with patching plaster, which proved to be effective and durable (see my photos in last June's postings).
Weird Weather
This is strictly an aside, nothing to do with model railroading. My main reason to head to Lowe's is to buy some material for insulating a pipe leading to one of our outside faucets. A cold wave is heading toward the Houston area and there may even be a little snow on Friday. Last year it did snow, on December 10th, tying a record for the earliest snow here, a record that would be broken if it indeed snows this Friday. This area is subtropical, and on average receives snow every four years, and miniscule amounts at that. So two years in a row? We must have brought along some sort of snow curse when we moved here from Idaho, thinking we'd left that kind of weather behind!!
I've spent quite a bit of time the last couple of days testing the track I've laid so far. And so far, so good. I've had to make some adjustments, especially at a particular pair of closely-placed turnouts, but these weren't too difficult. My NW-2 diesel seems to run through just about anything without balking, but my 0-6-0 steam engine is pickier, so I use it for my initial testing. It is very adept at finding any spots where the gauge is a hair too wide or a spike hasn't been driven deeply enough and it protruding. Thus, when the steam loco rolls smoothly through a section of trackwork or a turnout, I'm satisfied it's safe to "sign off" on the work.
Backdrop
I plan to get over to Lowe's tomorrow and, among other things, buy backdrop material. I'm going to use Masonite, 1/8" if available. Since my layout is "semi-modular" I plan to cut the backdrop material the same length as each section. It will be 16" high (my layout is 42" high). My corners are too tight to allow bending Masonite, even with soaking it (as Darrell suggested), so I'm going to use the back of linoleum for the corners, just as I did on my Idaho layout. On that layout I blended the segments, including the linoleum, with patching plaster, which proved to be effective and durable (see my photos in last June's postings).
Weird Weather
This is strictly an aside, nothing to do with model railroading. My main reason to head to Lowe's is to buy some material for insulating a pipe leading to one of our outside faucets. A cold wave is heading toward the Houston area and there may even be a little snow on Friday. Last year it did snow, on December 10th, tying a record for the earliest snow here, a record that would be broken if it indeed snows this Friday. This area is subtropical, and on average receives snow every four years, and miniscule amounts at that. So two years in a row? We must have brought along some sort of snow curse when we moved here from Idaho, thinking we'd left that kind of weather behind!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Turntable Plans and Photos
As promised, these are the plans and photos showing how I constructed and installed my hand-operated turntable. I want to stress that none of this comes from any idea of mine; as mentioned in a previous post, this setup is based on a 1951 Model Railroader article. Likewise, the wiring scheme comes from an installment of the"From Pillar To Post" series that ran in the same magazine in 1949.
Photos 1, 2
These plans are pretty self-explanatory. The only thing I'd point out is that my particular turntable design is based on prototypes where the pit rail wheels at each end of the turntable are all but concealed under the turntable bridge structure. I at first considered adding the wheels, but since they wouldn't really be visible, I left them off for simplicity's sake.
Photo 3
Underside of the control disk, which was cut from a piece of particleboard.
Photos 4, 5
Overall views of the turntable, approach track, and the three roundhouse tracks, each of which are independently powered.
Photo 6
Underside of the turntable pit.
Photo 7
The turntable bridge.
Photo 8
Closeup of the wiper, constructed from 1/4 inch-wide brass, and bent to provide a "spring" effect to ensure good contact with the pit rail.
Photo 9
Pit rail, including one of the gaps; the gaps will later be filled by small pieces of rail glued into place. The coating of glue will act as insulation.*
Photo 10
This is an "armstrong" turntable, plausibly still in use in 1947 since it serves only a small, three-stall roundhouse.
*Nov. 29 note: I wound up using small pieces of rail-sized stripwood to ensure the gaps remained insulated...safer than using rail, even with the glue.
Our Dog
The last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult for Susie and me. Our 13-1/2 year old dog, Daisy, suddenly developed severe, very painful spinal problems and, though our veterinarian did all she possibly could, our only reasonable and humane course was to end her terrible suffering and have Daisy put to sleep.
Daisy was a 9 lb. mix of poodle, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire, and Pomeranian. She was the kind of dog everybody immediately liked...very friendly, extremely intelligent, well-behaved and loyal. She got along well with other dogs and, especially, with cats.
I have had a lot of pets...cats and dogs...in my 62 years, but she was the very best. Daisy, like many dogs, loved to ride in the car. She went everywhere with us and had been in least two dozen states. We got Daisy when we lived in Portland, Oregon, when she was 6 weeks old. She was an important, much-loved member of our family.
Daisy was a 9 lb. mix of poodle, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire, and Pomeranian. She was the kind of dog everybody immediately liked...very friendly, extremely intelligent, well-behaved and loyal. She got along well with other dogs and, especially, with cats.
I have had a lot of pets...cats and dogs...in my 62 years, but she was the very best. Daisy, like many dogs, loved to ride in the car. She went everywhere with us and had been in least two dozen states. We got Daisy when we lived in Portland, Oregon, when she was 6 weeks old. She was an important, much-loved member of our family.
Thanksgiving
My family and I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are all in good health and are doing well in every aspect of our lives. We have been blessed repeatedly and abundantly and we are all grateful to God.
I'm especially thankful that we all live close by one another, which is pretty remarkable considering none of us are originally from Texas. Our two daughters' husbands each were offered jobs here in early 2008; at their urging we moved here, too, and we're glad we did. I don't think our gathering here is a coincidence, and I'm grateful to God for that, too.
I'm especially thankful that we all live close by one another, which is pretty remarkable considering none of us are originally from Texas. Our two daughters' husbands each were offered jobs here in early 2008; at their urging we moved here, too, and we're glad we did. I don't think our gathering here is a coincidence, and I'm grateful to God for that, too.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Turntable Progress
I've begun installing the turntable, which consists of essentially putting it back together after months in storage. The pit rail is in and I'm doing a little refurbishing on the bridge, including new decking and some paint touchup. I'll have step-by-step progress photos in my next post.
I just returned from a visit to the local hobby shop. I'm laying in some supplies for projects that will be coming up soon, such as plastic brick sheeting, which will be used for my new depot and for a partial rebuilding of my roundhouse. I was satisfied with the roundhouse when I built it, but I think it can be improved.
I'm also stocking up on paint. In recent years I've switched entirely from oil-based to water-based "railroad" paints. I like the lack of odor and easy cleanup with water-based paint and the ability to mix the railroad paints with other acrylics. My local hobby shop has only some oil-based paint on hand, but was happy to order the water-based I want.
I had an interesting conversation with the hobby shop man, who said he seldom gets a request for paint or other scratchbuilding supplies these days. He thinks the craft of building models from kits is disappearing, along with scratchbuilding. He said many younger hobbyists seem baffled at the very idea. My son-in-law Craig, who is in his 30s and who does scratch and kit building of aircraft and ships, has noticed the same trend in that type of modeling.
It's a hobby, so to each his own, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of building. I find it relaxing. I get completely absorbed, and I don't care how long it takes. I've had projects take days, weeks...a wooden passenger coach actually took years! I kept it in a shoebox and worked on it when I felt like it, and had a great time in the process.
I just returned from a visit to the local hobby shop. I'm laying in some supplies for projects that will be coming up soon, such as plastic brick sheeting, which will be used for my new depot and for a partial rebuilding of my roundhouse. I was satisfied with the roundhouse when I built it, but I think it can be improved.
I'm also stocking up on paint. In recent years I've switched entirely from oil-based to water-based "railroad" paints. I like the lack of odor and easy cleanup with water-based paint and the ability to mix the railroad paints with other acrylics. My local hobby shop has only some oil-based paint on hand, but was happy to order the water-based I want.
I had an interesting conversation with the hobby shop man, who said he seldom gets a request for paint or other scratchbuilding supplies these days. He thinks the craft of building models from kits is disappearing, along with scratchbuilding. He said many younger hobbyists seem baffled at the very idea. My son-in-law Craig, who is in his 30s and who does scratch and kit building of aircraft and ships, has noticed the same trend in that type of modeling.
It's a hobby, so to each his own, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of building. I find it relaxing. I get completely absorbed, and I don't care how long it takes. I've had projects take days, weeks...a wooden passenger coach actually took years! I kept it in a shoebox and worked on it when I felt like it, and had a great time in the process.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Darrell's Comment, Part 2
This is in response to Darrell's comment on my response to his August 17 comment (I hope that makes sense!).
First of all, Darrell, I appreciate your observation about eyesight! I wear trifocals, which help with close work, but I still occasionally take off my glasses for really close work; it's one time when being very nearsighted helps!
As far as the use of a ruler in turnout construction, I guess it's more of a double check than anything else, mostly to make sure the gauge throughout the turnout is within tolerance. And, of course, to make sure there's a slight widening of the gauge at the toe of the points, etc. I think I probably take much more time than I need in constructing turnouts, but I will say the result is smooth running, so I guess it's all working out. I've found what really is important is making sure the gauge is proper in the straight sections of the diverging path; that is, at the points and through the frog. I find if I get that right, the curved portion of the diverging stock rail tends to line up accurately.
I so far have built only standard turnouts, with the exception of a curved turnout experiment a couple of layouts ago that was a so-so success. I am considering trying that again...just considering, at this point. If I were really brave, I guess I'd think about a three-way turnout, which I've found intriguing ever since I saw a prototype example in a Portland, Oregon industrial area.
First of all, Darrell, I appreciate your observation about eyesight! I wear trifocals, which help with close work, but I still occasionally take off my glasses for really close work; it's one time when being very nearsighted helps!
As far as the use of a ruler in turnout construction, I guess it's more of a double check than anything else, mostly to make sure the gauge throughout the turnout is within tolerance. And, of course, to make sure there's a slight widening of the gauge at the toe of the points, etc. I think I probably take much more time than I need in constructing turnouts, but I will say the result is smooth running, so I guess it's all working out. I've found what really is important is making sure the gauge is proper in the straight sections of the diverging path; that is, at the points and through the frog. I find if I get that right, the curved portion of the diverging stock rail tends to line up accurately.
I so far have built only standard turnouts, with the exception of a curved turnout experiment a couple of layouts ago that was a so-so success. I am considering trying that again...just considering, at this point. If I were really brave, I guess I'd think about a three-way turnout, which I've found intriguing ever since I saw a prototype example in a Portland, Oregon industrial area.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Turntable Reference Articles
The turntable mechanism was designed based on an article in the July 1951 Model Railroader, and the turntable bridge design itself was somewhat of a composite based on a number of plans I've seen, but leaned heavily on an article in the October 1940 Model Railroader. I picked up the 1951 issue at a hobby show, and photocopied the 1940 article from a magazine in the Portland, Oregon main library's archives.
I favored the 1940 turntable bridge design because it's an "armstrong" man-powered turntable, with a push pole, being relatively small.
I favored the 1940 turntable bridge design because it's an "armstrong" man-powered turntable, with a push pole, being relatively small.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Fun Vs. Fanaticism
A word about my hobby philosophy. First of all, it is a hobby, a pastime. Just that, and no more. It is only one of many things I enjoy. I'm blessed with a wonderful wife; after 36 years of marriage, we're having more fun than ever, and we thoroughly enjoy doing things together. We spend a lot of time with our daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters, and we take a number of senior citizens' continuing education classes at the local college. At train shows I have encountered those for whom this hobby is their whole life, and I've seen this in people with other hobbies or interests. That's fine for them, I'm sure, but not for me.
Guess that's why my layout progress is a little unevern, but what the heck...there's no schedule! However, that being said, track construction is going well and should, for this phase of the layout, be finished soon. By "this phase" I mean the "left" and central part of the layout. My plan is to completely finish this portion, including scenery, before moving on to the "right" section which will include the port area. I like running trains, but I also really like working on scenery and structures, and this approach will allow that to happen sooner.
As track is laid I test it with both of my locomotives and make any necessary adjustments which, so far, have been fairly minor. The 0-6-0 is the more demanding of the two engines.
I've also unpacked my turntable, which served well on my Idaho layout. It is manually operated by means of an under-the-table control wheel, based on an article in an early-1950's Model Railroader. I'll provide the exact edition in a future post, since I'm writing this while away from the train room. The turntable style itself is based on an even earlier Model Railroader article. Anyway, I will soon be working on installing it.
It's also time to think about installing a backdrop, but I'm holding off until the December Model Railroader, which will have an article on that subject. I pretty well know what I want, but I think I'll hold off and see if there are any new ideas in that article.
Guess that's why my layout progress is a little unevern, but what the heck...there's no schedule! However, that being said, track construction is going well and should, for this phase of the layout, be finished soon. By "this phase" I mean the "left" and central part of the layout. My plan is to completely finish this portion, including scenery, before moving on to the "right" section which will include the port area. I like running trains, but I also really like working on scenery and structures, and this approach will allow that to happen sooner.
As track is laid I test it with both of my locomotives and make any necessary adjustments which, so far, have been fairly minor. The 0-6-0 is the more demanding of the two engines.
I've also unpacked my turntable, which served well on my Idaho layout. It is manually operated by means of an under-the-table control wheel, based on an article in an early-1950's Model Railroader. I'll provide the exact edition in a future post, since I'm writing this while away from the train room. The turntable style itself is based on an even earlier Model Railroader article. Anyway, I will soon be working on installing it.
It's also time to think about installing a backdrop, but I'm holding off until the December Model Railroader, which will have an article on that subject. I pretty well know what I want, but I think I'll hold off and see if there are any new ideas in that article.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Comment On August 17 Post
My apologies to Darrell for not replying to his August 17 comment. For some reason (aging process?) I didn't see the comment until today, when I was flipping through past posts.
Darrell, your question was regarding using a ruler in building turnouts. I use a ruler when laying the straight stock rail to ensure alignment. But I also use it to measure gauge at every tie. I should amend my statement to say I also check the gauge by using the three-point track gauge, but it's not my primary tool, and I find it a bit difficult to use with my frog assemblies. I guess it comes down to the fact that I am probably over-meticulous in laying out turnouts, and indeed it does take me a while to build one!
I hope this answers your question.
Darrell, your question was regarding using a ruler in building turnouts. I use a ruler when laying the straight stock rail to ensure alignment. But I also use it to measure gauge at every tie. I should amend my statement to say I also check the gauge by using the three-point track gauge, but it's not my primary tool, and I find it a bit difficult to use with my frog assemblies. I guess it comes down to the fact that I am probably over-meticulous in laying out turnouts, and indeed it does take me a while to build one!
I hope this answers your question.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Loco No. 2
Yesterday I took apart my Rex 0-6-0 and cleaned and lubed it. The commutator and brushes had quite a bit of gunk on them and the tender wheels in particular needed cleaning. Then came the test run, and things went well. The locomotive is nearly 20 years old and has served me well!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Trial Run
Yesterday I completed wiring the track laid so far, and fired up the NW-2 for the first time. It runs smoothly, very smoothly, even at very slow speeds. I'm very pleased with it. It was a good test of the trackwork, because no matter how many times you push a string of cars or a truck through switch frogs, etc., there's no test like actual running.
Other than a few minutes' worth of minor tinkering at a couple of turnouts, no adjustments were required. It sure was fun, after an 18-month hiatus, to run trains again!
My next task is to get my Rex 0-6-0 ready to run by doing some routine lubrication, since it has been packed away for a year and a half.
Other than a few minutes' worth of minor tinkering at a couple of turnouts, no adjustments were required. It sure was fun, after an 18-month hiatus, to run trains again!
My next task is to get my Rex 0-6-0 ready to run by doing some routine lubrication, since it has been packed away for a year and a half.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Atmosphere: Back To The Forties
Without hitting visitors over the head...well, not hitting them too hard...I want to convey the time and place of my railroad. Of course, structures, signs, vehicles and above all, rolling stock should take care of this. However, a few other hints can't hurt when recreating April 1947.
The top photo is a "company calendar" I cooked up for my Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway, which is in the entry to the model railroad room.
The next three photos are ads I've cut out and mounted. They are from the April 1947 National Geographic and include the magazine cover. I was fortunate to find a copy in an antique store during a visit this past summer to Clear Lake, Iowa. Six of the pages advertise railroads' passenger services, with a Coca Cola and Texaco ad thrown in for additional atmosphere.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Wiring Begins
I've started wiring the layout. The first task was to build a control "desk" to hold my Tech II power pack and Atlas block switches. This will be the third layout this equipment has served.
There's still some track to be laid in this section of the layout, but I've got enough in place to do some running. When I've tested the track I have so far, I'll continue laying more and install the turntable and roundhouse tracks. The turntable is scratchbuilt and served on my Idaho layout.
There's still some track to be laid in this section of the layout, but I've got enough in place to do some running. When I've tested the track I have so far, I'll continue laying more and install the turntable and roundhouse tracks. The turntable is scratchbuilt and served on my Idaho layout.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Darrell's Comments and My Concept
Darrell had some comments on my layout plan and I thought it might be useful to respond, as well as discuss my overall concept. He cited personal experience with a similar layout in identifying some limitations.
Among his concerns were lack of mainline running, no provision for moving cars "off layout" and lack of room for scenery, other than piers and building flats. All valid concerns, depending on what you're aiming for. He feels I simply don't have the space to do all I want, and that operating the layout could grow stale.
While I appreciate his comments and a good discussion, I must respectfully disagree, and my disagreement is based on my personal preferences and experience. Allow me to clarify.
First of all, my layout is intended to be a relatively simple switching layout, with no mainline running; the short stretch of track representing the mainline is simply to suggest a connection off-layout, in effect a "dummy" track (that can also serve as a switching lead). One of the yard tracks will represent both an arrival and departure track; cars will be assembled for departure and then will "arrive" via a card-order system, to be delivered to the various industrial sidings.
As for scenery, my idea is to represent a limited portion of a small city, through use of building flats and a few semi-flats and full structures. There won't be any attempt to reproduce "open country." I like the creativity involved in detailing scenery in a limited space to give the feel of a particular time and place. In a way, it's not unlike a movie set. A small layout is in some ways an "operating diorama."
Now, as far as experience goes, my previous layout, when we lived in Idaho, was based on exactly the same type of scheme. In fact, the track plan was in many ways quite similar to that of my new layout. Take a look at the photos of my old layout in my June 29th posting. Notice how I included just portions of "main street" and the edge of a residential area to suggest more beyond. My old layout was 8' x 10', while now I have 11' x 13' to work in, which I've used to expand my curve radii a bit. I saved my structures and building flats and they should all find a place on my new layout, though some may be modified or cannibalized (such as grain elevators).
I've had larger layouts in the past that included mainline running and plenty of scenery, but I had the best time with my last layout, that small switching pike. I operated it for six years and never grew tired of it. The arrival/departure track and card-order arrangement worked well, as far as I was concerned. I would occasionally tinker with the scenery here and there and add rolling stock, but I was pleased with the overall situation.
In short, I am in many ways duplicating what for me was a layout that I thoroughly enjoyed, using ideas I have tested. I actually considered recreating the same Idaho-themed layout here, track plan and all. However, as a Seattle native, I have always thought it would be interesting to depict a waterfront railroad. And it seems only fitting, since we now live in Texas and are near the Gulf Coast, to model this region. Thus, the Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway!
Again, I do appreciate Darrell's comments and I hope my response has clarified my objectives a bit. I think we all have our individual preferences in model railroading and that's great. The variety of approaches is what I like most about this hobby. I always learn a lot by seeing others' layouts and hearing their ideas.
Among his concerns were lack of mainline running, no provision for moving cars "off layout" and lack of room for scenery, other than piers and building flats. All valid concerns, depending on what you're aiming for. He feels I simply don't have the space to do all I want, and that operating the layout could grow stale.
While I appreciate his comments and a good discussion, I must respectfully disagree, and my disagreement is based on my personal preferences and experience. Allow me to clarify.
First of all, my layout is intended to be a relatively simple switching layout, with no mainline running; the short stretch of track representing the mainline is simply to suggest a connection off-layout, in effect a "dummy" track (that can also serve as a switching lead). One of the yard tracks will represent both an arrival and departure track; cars will be assembled for departure and then will "arrive" via a card-order system, to be delivered to the various industrial sidings.
As for scenery, my idea is to represent a limited portion of a small city, through use of building flats and a few semi-flats and full structures. There won't be any attempt to reproduce "open country." I like the creativity involved in detailing scenery in a limited space to give the feel of a particular time and place. In a way, it's not unlike a movie set. A small layout is in some ways an "operating diorama."
Now, as far as experience goes, my previous layout, when we lived in Idaho, was based on exactly the same type of scheme. In fact, the track plan was in many ways quite similar to that of my new layout. Take a look at the photos of my old layout in my June 29th posting. Notice how I included just portions of "main street" and the edge of a residential area to suggest more beyond. My old layout was 8' x 10', while now I have 11' x 13' to work in, which I've used to expand my curve radii a bit. I saved my structures and building flats and they should all find a place on my new layout, though some may be modified or cannibalized (such as grain elevators).
I've had larger layouts in the past that included mainline running and plenty of scenery, but I had the best time with my last layout, that small switching pike. I operated it for six years and never grew tired of it. The arrival/departure track and card-order arrangement worked well, as far as I was concerned. I would occasionally tinker with the scenery here and there and add rolling stock, but I was pleased with the overall situation.
In short, I am in many ways duplicating what for me was a layout that I thoroughly enjoyed, using ideas I have tested. I actually considered recreating the same Idaho-themed layout here, track plan and all. However, as a Seattle native, I have always thought it would be interesting to depict a waterfront railroad. And it seems only fitting, since we now live in Texas and are near the Gulf Coast, to model this region. Thus, the Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway!
Again, I do appreciate Darrell's comments and I hope my response has clarified my objectives a bit. I think we all have our individual preferences in model railroading and that's great. The variety of approaches is what I like most about this hobby. I always learn a lot by seeing others' layouts and hearing their ideas.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Plan
I'm sorry about the quality of this photo, which I'm afraid is due to the quality of my track plan drawing. It was done in pencil and suffered by the usual erasures and revisions, as well as scribbled notes, etc. But, despite these imperfections, it's probably good enough for a quick tour of the layout I have in progress.
On the lower left is the yard, including roundhouse and turntable. Just above that is the passenger depot, and just above the depot is a spur for a freight house and team track. Heading to the right, the upper track, which represents the main line, disappears "off stage" behind a screen of trees. In front of that track is a spur for a coal and oil dealership, and another for a lumber company. The lower right portion of the layout is dominated by two large public freight piers, each of which will have a warehouse. Along the right edge of this area are a couple of industry sidings.
The upper right corner will be a residential area, and the center portion will have businesses on either side of the tracks.
I like the way Model Railroader has a box with its layout plans entitled "The layout at a glance." As a review of where I hope to go with this layout, I'll do the same...
Name: Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway
Scale: S (1:64)
Size: 11' x 13'
Prototype: freelanced terminal switching line
Locale: medium-sized eastern Texas seaport
Period: April 1947
Style: U-shaped shelf
Minimum radius: 36"
Minimum turnout: no. 6
Maximum grade: none
Benchwork: sectional
Roadbed: white pine
Track: handlaid code 100 on balsa ties
Control: block
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Running Soon (Fairly Soon)
I've now got enough track laid to permit some running. I'm going to complete just a little more and then begin wiring. There is still about 40 percent of the benchwork to complete, but I've decided to get the completed section operating and maybe even start some scenery before moving on to the rest which, since it will be the port area with two piers, will be pretty time-consuming construction.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Smooth Transitions
I think my handlaid track has improved over the years. I've learned to take more time, measure with more care, and pay attention to transitions. Look at prototype track: there are no abrupt changes of direction. Easements are the rule, with long gradual shifts of direction on curves and, especially, at turnouts. Locomotives and cars should roll smoothly through the trackwork. The more I've paid attention to this, the better my trains have operated and the fewer corrections I've had to make.
The key is patience. I've learned not to hurry tracklaying in order to get something running. Also, in the track planning process I've learned to be a lot more conservative in deciding what will fit. Designing a layout with more-than-ample space allowances for approaches to turnouts and curves really pays off. It just isn't worth it to try and cram that one additional siding, no matter how desirable it seems.
One of the finest...maybe the finest...and most inspirational examples of quality handlaid model railroad track was in the January 1961 Model Railroader, a copy of which I was fortunate to find at a train show. Some libraries may have it, too. The article is "Britain's Best" and features the O gauge fine-scale layout of the late English modeler W. S. Norris. The trackwork, with its broad, flowing curves and flawless turnouts is a work of art. The photos could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Needless to say, rolling stock and structures on this layout were of equally high standards.
I try to keep Mr. Norris' work in mind when I lay track. I am a long, long way from his level of workmanship, but seeing a layout like his is great inspiration to try harder...and not rush things.
The key is patience. I've learned not to hurry tracklaying in order to get something running. Also, in the track planning process I've learned to be a lot more conservative in deciding what will fit. Designing a layout with more-than-ample space allowances for approaches to turnouts and curves really pays off. It just isn't worth it to try and cram that one additional siding, no matter how desirable it seems.
One of the finest...maybe the finest...and most inspirational examples of quality handlaid model railroad track was in the January 1961 Model Railroader, a copy of which I was fortunate to find at a train show. Some libraries may have it, too. The article is "Britain's Best" and features the O gauge fine-scale layout of the late English modeler W. S. Norris. The trackwork, with its broad, flowing curves and flawless turnouts is a work of art. The photos could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Needless to say, rolling stock and structures on this layout were of equally high standards.
I try to keep Mr. Norris' work in mind when I lay track. I am a long, long way from his level of workmanship, but seeing a layout like his is great inspiration to try harder...and not rush things.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A Good Suggestion
Darrell's comment yesterday regarding curving Masonite for backdrop corners is a worthwhile suggestion. I have curved Masonite around corners in the past, though not with a tight curve; wetting it as he suggested may be just what I need, because my new layout will need pretty tight backdrop curves.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Looking Ahead
As track laying progresses, some things I'm pondering...
Backdrop:
It seems that the preferred procedure is to install a backdrop first, before any track laying, etc., is begun. And that's what I'd normally do, except that I'm still debating what sort of backdrop material to use. On past layouts I've used Masonite, with the smooth side painted sky blue and then with white to create light haze and clouds. Masonite doesn't bend that readily in corners, so I experimented with using the smooth side of a linoleum runner for the corners. Both materials were okay, as long as they were properly braced.
My current layout is "semi-modular" in that it is designed to be easily broken down into sections in the event we ever move; each section is 28" wide and section lengths range between 28" and 48", connected with carriage bolts. After the pain of completely dismantling my last two layouts, I have learned my lesson and have vowed "never again." Even if, years from now, we move to some type of senior housing small apartment, I hope to be able to use some of these sections.
Anyway, with this approach it seems most practicable to have the backdrop in sections as well. I may wind up using Masonite again, but I'm looking at other materials, such as the smooth foam boards sold (in this area) at Hobby Lobby. That would be a light and cheap option if the material takes acrylic paint without warping. Also, there is the matter of curving material for corners, which the foam board simply won't allow.
Structures:
I think I've settled on a plan for my depot. The plan was published in Kalmbach's Easy To Build Model Railroad Structures and is a combination freight and passenger station. In S scale it will occupy a space roughly 5" x 20".
I'm going to rebuild my roundhouse, which suffered some damage in our move last year from Idaho to Texas, despite my best packing efforts. The basic framework and roof are fine, but the sides and windows didn't fare too well and besides, I think I could improve on my work. I've already purchased some Plastruct brick sheets for this purpose. The roundhouse will probably be the first structure installed on my new layout, with the depot closely following.
Other structures survived the move with little or no damage: houses, businesses (lumber company, retail stores, coal dealer, grain elevator, feed dealer, Texaco station, etc.), a freight house, tool house, and a church. These can be quickly installed on my layout. However, this being 1947, the coal dealer will become a fuel dealer with both coal and heating oil. Also, a Texas seaport has no place for an inland Northwest grain elevator or feed dealer, so I'll probably wind up partially dismantling these structures and incorporating the materials into something more fitting.
Before we knew we were moving, my next project would have been a 25-ton coaling station. Fortunately, I never got past the thinking stage. Texas steam locos were generally oil-fired, at least in this part of the state.
Rolling Stock:
My Rex 0-6-0 is coal-fired, but will be modified to represent an oil-burner, again, much more accurate for Texas. I have a great billboard reefer, but these disappeared in the late 1930s and so this car will have to be repainted and relettered. Finally, my scratchbuilt cinder car, which had spent much of its time on my prior layout's depressed ashpit service track, will become a piece of maintenance-of-way equipment. Other than some relettering required on various pieces of equipment, all else should be fine for the new locale and era.
Backdrop:
It seems that the preferred procedure is to install a backdrop first, before any track laying, etc., is begun. And that's what I'd normally do, except that I'm still debating what sort of backdrop material to use. On past layouts I've used Masonite, with the smooth side painted sky blue and then with white to create light haze and clouds. Masonite doesn't bend that readily in corners, so I experimented with using the smooth side of a linoleum runner for the corners. Both materials were okay, as long as they were properly braced.
My current layout is "semi-modular" in that it is designed to be easily broken down into sections in the event we ever move; each section is 28" wide and section lengths range between 28" and 48", connected with carriage bolts. After the pain of completely dismantling my last two layouts, I have learned my lesson and have vowed "never again." Even if, years from now, we move to some type of senior housing small apartment, I hope to be able to use some of these sections.
Anyway, with this approach it seems most practicable to have the backdrop in sections as well. I may wind up using Masonite again, but I'm looking at other materials, such as the smooth foam boards sold (in this area) at Hobby Lobby. That would be a light and cheap option if the material takes acrylic paint without warping. Also, there is the matter of curving material for corners, which the foam board simply won't allow.
Structures:
I think I've settled on a plan for my depot. The plan was published in Kalmbach's Easy To Build Model Railroad Structures and is a combination freight and passenger station. In S scale it will occupy a space roughly 5" x 20".
I'm going to rebuild my roundhouse, which suffered some damage in our move last year from Idaho to Texas, despite my best packing efforts. The basic framework and roof are fine, but the sides and windows didn't fare too well and besides, I think I could improve on my work. I've already purchased some Plastruct brick sheets for this purpose. The roundhouse will probably be the first structure installed on my new layout, with the depot closely following.
Other structures survived the move with little or no damage: houses, businesses (lumber company, retail stores, coal dealer, grain elevator, feed dealer, Texaco station, etc.), a freight house, tool house, and a church. These can be quickly installed on my layout. However, this being 1947, the coal dealer will become a fuel dealer with both coal and heating oil. Also, a Texas seaport has no place for an inland Northwest grain elevator or feed dealer, so I'll probably wind up partially dismantling these structures and incorporating the materials into something more fitting.
Before we knew we were moving, my next project would have been a 25-ton coaling station. Fortunately, I never got past the thinking stage. Texas steam locos were generally oil-fired, at least in this part of the state.
Rolling Stock:
My Rex 0-6-0 is coal-fired, but will be modified to represent an oil-burner, again, much more accurate for Texas. I have a great billboard reefer, but these disappeared in the late 1930s and so this car will have to be repainted and relettered. Finally, my scratchbuilt cinder car, which had spent much of its time on my prior layout's depressed ashpit service track, will become a piece of maintenance-of-way equipment. Other than some relettering required on various pieces of equipment, all else should be fine for the new locale and era.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Historical Research
My previous layout was set in a small fictional northern Idaho agricultural town in September 1939, and I did a lot of research, including frequent visits to towns in that locale, to get the right feel of the time and place. Much like watching an old movie, buildings, houses, vehicles and signs can all give visitors the idea of the era being depicted.
Now I'm starting a layout set in a fictional small-to-medium Texas seaport in April 1947, and I'm finding the research to be almost as much fun as actual layout construction. The Internet, of course, is an incredible resource, with its vintage photos, Port of Houston Magazine archives, etc. I also recently came across a new book, Rails Around Houston, with very useful information and photos.
For Father's Day I received an Amazon.com gift certificate and used it to buy two books: the Model Railroader Cyclopedia, 1947 edition, which is loaded with plans for locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and structures, and Model Railroads (1940) by Edwin Alexander, which also has a wealth of plans. Both books are in mint condition.
On our recent Iowa trip I found an April 1947 National Geographic in an antique store that contains a half-dozen full-page railroad ads; these will be framed and displayed just inside the train room entrance. Again, this will help create an impression of the era being modeled.
Certainly, it's not going to be too hard to move forward in time the eight years between 1939 and 1947. Signs and vehicles won't be much different, although I will have to "update" my theater marquee: the 1939 version features John Wayne in Stagecoach, and for 1947 it will advertise My Favorite Brunette, starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, which was in fact released in April of that year!
Is all this worth it? Does it work? I think so. The reward came when an older gentleman, upon seeing photos of my Idaho layout, told me he felt as if he'd stepped back into his growing-up years of the late-1930's.
Now I'm starting a layout set in a fictional small-to-medium Texas seaport in April 1947, and I'm finding the research to be almost as much fun as actual layout construction. The Internet, of course, is an incredible resource, with its vintage photos, Port of Houston Magazine archives, etc. I also recently came across a new book, Rails Around Houston, with very useful information and photos.
For Father's Day I received an Amazon.com gift certificate and used it to buy two books: the Model Railroader Cyclopedia, 1947 edition, which is loaded with plans for locomotives, freight and passenger cars, and structures, and Model Railroads (1940) by Edwin Alexander, which also has a wealth of plans. Both books are in mint condition.
On our recent Iowa trip I found an April 1947 National Geographic in an antique store that contains a half-dozen full-page railroad ads; these will be framed and displayed just inside the train room entrance. Again, this will help create an impression of the era being modeled.
Certainly, it's not going to be too hard to move forward in time the eight years between 1939 and 1947. Signs and vehicles won't be much different, although I will have to "update" my theater marquee: the 1939 version features John Wayne in Stagecoach, and for 1947 it will advertise My Favorite Brunette, starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, which was in fact released in April of that year!
Is all this worth it? Does it work? I think so. The reward came when an older gentleman, upon seeing photos of my Idaho layout, told me he felt as if he'd stepped back into his growing-up years of the late-1930's.
Testing Trackwork
As mentioned, I use track gauges and rulers and spike every tie in my handlaid trackwork. I also keep a freight truck (wheelset) handy to test what I've just laid. But then I have a couple of additional tests, which I'm sure many other modelers also use. I run my most "tempermental" car over the trackage, particularly the switchwork, to smoke out any problems. In my case the car is a passenger coach which actually could stand a little additional weight. I'll hold off correcting the weight, however, until I've tested my track. This car is adept at finding the smallest flaw; for example, if the gauge needs a slight widening at the switchpoints where the diverging stock rail has its "kink."
Finally, I like to couple two or three freight cars together and push them back and forth through the switchwork. They aren't as finicky as the coach, but it's a good test nevertheless.
Handlaying track (for me, at least) is very time-consuming, but the time is well spent if it means not having derailments.
Finally, I like to couple two or three freight cars together and push them back and forth through the switchwork. They aren't as finicky as the coach, but it's a good test nevertheless.
Handlaying track (for me, at least) is very time-consuming, but the time is well spent if it means not having derailments.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Miscellaneous Trackwork Notes
Rail Color: Once everything is wired, tested, up and running and any bugs have been corrected, I will paint the rail sides with a mixture of "rust" and brown. Since this layout is set in a port, the rust color will be more emphasized than it was on my Idaho-themed layout. Ballast will be added using a 50/50 mix of Elmer's glue and water.
Turnouts: I use three-point track gauges for all tracklaying except for turnouts; for those I use a ruler to measure gauge at every tie.
Turnouts: I use three-point track gauges for all tracklaying except for turnouts; for those I use a ruler to measure gauge at every tie.
More Construction Photos
From the top...
Photo 1: A shot of the future turntable and roundhouse. The inspection pits have been cut out.
Photos 2 & 3: Two more views of the midsection of the layout. Streets with commercial buildings will be on both sides of this section of track.
Photo 4: Now that some track is laid (though still unpowered), I can at least display my motive power. On the left is my Rex 0-6-0, built from a kit I assembled in 1991. It's still lettered for my former Idaho & Palouse RR but will be soon relettered for the Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway, as will the brand-new S Helper Service NW2 next to it.
Construction Resumed!
After an absence to visit relatives in Iowa and other interruptions, I'm back into construction and seem to making progress!
The top photo shows the beginnings of the yard and passenger depot tracks. The depot will be about where the loose pile of rail is in the upper left hand corner. The second photo is from the other end of the yard/depot area.
The third photo is midway across the "top" of my horseshoe-shaped layout. The roadbed is white pine, glued to the particleboard table top. Balsa ties, stained with water-thinned burnt umber acrylic paint, have been glued to the roadbed, then Code 100 rail was laid on that.
I like solid trackwork, so I spike every tie. It's not necessary, but it is indeed solid! I make my own turnout components, including frogs and switchpoints. The frog flangeways are solder-filled and filed to the corrrect depth. All turnouts are #6, and all are manually thrown. I use "hot frogs" and power is routed by the points, which are connected with two brass "tie rods." There are also brass tabs soldered under the stock rails adjacent to the points to enhance electrical contact.
Monday, June 29, 2009
A Few Photos of My Previous Layout
Trackwork is proceeding and (I know I've been delinquent about blog entries lately) and I should be able to have something running...now that I will have track on which to run it...soon. In the meantime, here are some photos of my previous layout when we lived in Eagle, Idaho. These were taken just prior to dismantling the layout.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Turnouts
I haven't written in here for a few days. I've been busy building turnouts. I've constructed quite a few over the years, but before starting a new track laying project, I always find it useful to review the articles and books I've acquired. I'm sure most of you have a library of magazines and materials, as I do.
There is Model Railroader, of course, which I've been reading since grade school. Between years of subscribing and swap meet acquisitions, I've got quite a few issues. Also, we lived in Portland, Oregon from 1975 to 2001 and the main public library there has an extensive archive of that magazine, including the original 1934 issue. I photocopied it and a ton of articles, drawings, etc. I have organized this material into files. Also on my train room bookshelf are many copies of Railroad Model Craftsman, the old S Gauge Herald and S Gaugian, plus some copies of Trains from the mid-1940's. When I need to add a structure or car, these publications are a great resource.
Anyway, back to turnouts. I use No. 6 turnouts; I'd like to use No. 8s, but they just take up too much space. As it is, for a small layout I'm using pretty large radius curves, ranging between 36" and 45", and No. 8s just wouldn't fit in my scheme. Because of the 28" shelf width, I can use Caboose Industries manual ground throws. I also use "hot frogs" so there's smooth running through the frog. I tried insulated frogs on a couple of previous layouts, but didn't like them as well.
My first handlaid turnouts were constructed following an S Gauge Herald article by Richard Karnes. I bought the article in reprint form from the Herald (obviously, this was a long time ago!). In the mid-1970's, I had the privilege of being part of an S scale group that visited Mr. Karnes' Seattle-area home and I saw some of his turnouts, which were in a section of track from a previous layout he'd had. He was about to start a new layout, I recall. His handlaid track was the finest, most realistically detailed I've ever seen. And his article is a resource I value to this day.
That article, as I said earlier, is one of many I refer to before getting to work on track laying. There is so much to learn from other modelers!
There is Model Railroader, of course, which I've been reading since grade school. Between years of subscribing and swap meet acquisitions, I've got quite a few issues. Also, we lived in Portland, Oregon from 1975 to 2001 and the main public library there has an extensive archive of that magazine, including the original 1934 issue. I photocopied it and a ton of articles, drawings, etc. I have organized this material into files. Also on my train room bookshelf are many copies of Railroad Model Craftsman, the old S Gauge Herald and S Gaugian, plus some copies of Trains from the mid-1940's. When I need to add a structure or car, these publications are a great resource.
Anyway, back to turnouts. I use No. 6 turnouts; I'd like to use No. 8s, but they just take up too much space. As it is, for a small layout I'm using pretty large radius curves, ranging between 36" and 45", and No. 8s just wouldn't fit in my scheme. Because of the 28" shelf width, I can use Caboose Industries manual ground throws. I also use "hot frogs" so there's smooth running through the frog. I tried insulated frogs on a couple of previous layouts, but didn't like them as well.
My first handlaid turnouts were constructed following an S Gauge Herald article by Richard Karnes. I bought the article in reprint form from the Herald (obviously, this was a long time ago!). In the mid-1970's, I had the privilege of being part of an S scale group that visited Mr. Karnes' Seattle-area home and I saw some of his turnouts, which were in a section of track from a previous layout he'd had. He was about to start a new layout, I recall. His handlaid track was the finest, most realistically detailed I've ever seen. And his article is a resource I value to this day.
That article, as I said earlier, is one of many I refer to before getting to work on track laying. There is so much to learn from other modelers!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Materials
DEV had some further, very thoughtful (and much appreciated) comments regarding my choice of materials, as well as some suggestions.
He expressed reservations about using particleboard, citing a tendency to sag. I've heard this before, but having used particleboard in all but one of my previous layouts, I must say I've never encountered the problem. I think, as he mentioned, that proper bracing is important. I would also add that the thickness is significant; I have used 1/2" particleboard and have had no problems in the past. In my previous post, I said I'm currently using 5/8" particleboard, but I need to correct that statement. The particleboard I'm using was left by the previous homeowner, extra material from an attic flooring project...I just measured it and it is actually 3/4"!
With particleboard, humidity is indeed a concern with such materials and, admittedly, when we lived in Boise, Idaho, humidity was extremely low; Boise is in high desert and I've seen the humidity there down to 10%. Where we live now, in southeast Texas, it's at the extreme opposite end of the scale. However, before Boise we resided in Portland, Oregon, which is notorious for its damp climate, and I had no problems there with a layout in a semi-heated garage room. Again, I agree good bracing is a must.
DEV also mentioned celotex ceiling tile as a useful scenic material for landforms, etc. I can second that...I used it on a layout I built some years back and liked it.
Again, the comments are constructive and welcome! I've enjoyed hearing from you, DEV, and hope others will join in!
He expressed reservations about using particleboard, citing a tendency to sag. I've heard this before, but having used particleboard in all but one of my previous layouts, I must say I've never encountered the problem. I think, as he mentioned, that proper bracing is important. I would also add that the thickness is significant; I have used 1/2" particleboard and have had no problems in the past. In my previous post, I said I'm currently using 5/8" particleboard, but I need to correct that statement. The particleboard I'm using was left by the previous homeowner, extra material from an attic flooring project...I just measured it and it is actually 3/4"!
With particleboard, humidity is indeed a concern with such materials and, admittedly, when we lived in Boise, Idaho, humidity was extremely low; Boise is in high desert and I've seen the humidity there down to 10%. Where we live now, in southeast Texas, it's at the extreme opposite end of the scale. However, before Boise we resided in Portland, Oregon, which is notorious for its damp climate, and I had no problems there with a layout in a semi-heated garage room. Again, I agree good bracing is a must.
DEV also mentioned celotex ceiling tile as a useful scenic material for landforms, etc. I can second that...I used it on a layout I built some years back and liked it.
Again, the comments are constructive and welcome! I've enjoyed hearing from you, DEV, and hope others will join in!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Track and Layout Construction
I've got to get my track plan and progress photos on here. Soon! Until then, I'll try to describe what I'm up to. Also, I want to respond to DEV's comment and his questions about roadbed and scenery.
Over time, I've found what I enjoy is switching and scenery construction, including structures. So my layout is strictly a switching layout, running along three walls of an 11' x 13' spare bedroom. The entry door and closet are on the same wall, which is really fortunate. There's one window, exactly midway on the 13' wall. I'm building the benchwork in sections in the garage; the sections are 28" wide, in 2-1/2' and 4' lengths, depending on where they'll be placed. Once a section is completed, I haul it upstairs and join it to the others. I hope we never move again, but just in case, the layout can be easily dismantled; the same advantage applies if the bedroom window needs replacement.
Each section has fairly simple construction, using 1" x 4" white pine for the frame, legs and bracing. The surface is 5/8" particle board. Most sections are 42" high; three that will have "water" are 40" with two levels of particleboard. This type of construction doesn't allow for much height variation, but I'm modeling a very flat area. Wood screws are used throughout, and sections are joined together with carriage bolts.
Now for the plan. The layout, set in April 1947, represents a small seaport and its terminal railroad at the end of a branch line of a fictitious Texas coastal railroad (name to be determined) that runs from Houston westward. There is a short segment of main line that disappears behind trees at one end and, at the other, ends at a passenger depot/freight yard. A turntable and three-stall roundhouse are adjacent, along with a freight house. At the other end of the layout is the port area, with two railroad wharves and five industrial sidings. Though I won't be running any passenger trains, I plan to build several passenger cars (I have one already completed) and the depot will provide a place to display them...plus it will add to switching opportunities.
The layout will also have space for non-railroad businesses and a small residential area. I think these are essential in setting the era and locale, because of advertising signs, types of retail stores, automobiles, etc.
I'm laying track on 1/4" x 1-3/4" white pine roadbed, ripped from 1" x 4" x 8' planks courtesy of my son-in-law Craig. On curves I cut the roadbed into 4" segments. Turnouts are on 12" x 3" pieces. The roadbed is bonded to the particleboard baseboard with white glue. I then cut ties from 1/8" x 1/8" balsa, which I stain with acrylic burnt umber. The ties are then put down with white glue. I lay the track in place, except for the turnouts. I find it's easier to build those separately on their bases and then insert them into the intended locations.
DEV's comment asked whether the white pine roadbed is noisy. Although I am still building and haven't run any trains yet, I have used a few cars coupled together to test the trackwork, and the noise doesn't seem excessive. More so than using Homasote, but not bad, I think. I do like the way white pine takes spikes. I considered white pine in the first place after reading Paul Mallery's Trackwork Handbook for Model Railroads. His advocacy of white pine and the fact Homasote is expensive provided the impetus to give it a try, and I'm glad I did.
DEV also asked about scenery. In the past I've used cardboard and foam for terrain shapes, and real dirt and ground foam fixed with 50/50 white glue and water mix. Roads and streets were patching plaster sanded flat and colored with acrylics. I think I'll probably take a similar approach on this layout. More about scenery in a later post. I'll try to also post some photos of my previous Idaho layout to show scenery examples.
One more thing...the railroad's name. I'm still working on the fictional mainline railroad's name, but for the port railroad I have settled on Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway. Guess that makes my port Gulf Harbor, Texas, somewhere west of Houston (and there's a lot of Texas west of Houston!).
Over time, I've found what I enjoy is switching and scenery construction, including structures. So my layout is strictly a switching layout, running along three walls of an 11' x 13' spare bedroom. The entry door and closet are on the same wall, which is really fortunate. There's one window, exactly midway on the 13' wall. I'm building the benchwork in sections in the garage; the sections are 28" wide, in 2-1/2' and 4' lengths, depending on where they'll be placed. Once a section is completed, I haul it upstairs and join it to the others. I hope we never move again, but just in case, the layout can be easily dismantled; the same advantage applies if the bedroom window needs replacement.
Each section has fairly simple construction, using 1" x 4" white pine for the frame, legs and bracing. The surface is 5/8" particle board. Most sections are 42" high; three that will have "water" are 40" with two levels of particleboard. This type of construction doesn't allow for much height variation, but I'm modeling a very flat area. Wood screws are used throughout, and sections are joined together with carriage bolts.
Now for the plan. The layout, set in April 1947, represents a small seaport and its terminal railroad at the end of a branch line of a fictitious Texas coastal railroad (name to be determined) that runs from Houston westward. There is a short segment of main line that disappears behind trees at one end and, at the other, ends at a passenger depot/freight yard. A turntable and three-stall roundhouse are adjacent, along with a freight house. At the other end of the layout is the port area, with two railroad wharves and five industrial sidings. Though I won't be running any passenger trains, I plan to build several passenger cars (I have one already completed) and the depot will provide a place to display them...plus it will add to switching opportunities.
The layout will also have space for non-railroad businesses and a small residential area. I think these are essential in setting the era and locale, because of advertising signs, types of retail stores, automobiles, etc.
I'm laying track on 1/4" x 1-3/4" white pine roadbed, ripped from 1" x 4" x 8' planks courtesy of my son-in-law Craig. On curves I cut the roadbed into 4" segments. Turnouts are on 12" x 3" pieces. The roadbed is bonded to the particleboard baseboard with white glue. I then cut ties from 1/8" x 1/8" balsa, which I stain with acrylic burnt umber. The ties are then put down with white glue. I lay the track in place, except for the turnouts. I find it's easier to build those separately on their bases and then insert them into the intended locations.
DEV's comment asked whether the white pine roadbed is noisy. Although I am still building and haven't run any trains yet, I have used a few cars coupled together to test the trackwork, and the noise doesn't seem excessive. More so than using Homasote, but not bad, I think. I do like the way white pine takes spikes. I considered white pine in the first place after reading Paul Mallery's Trackwork Handbook for Model Railroads. His advocacy of white pine and the fact Homasote is expensive provided the impetus to give it a try, and I'm glad I did.
DEV also asked about scenery. In the past I've used cardboard and foam for terrain shapes, and real dirt and ground foam fixed with 50/50 white glue and water mix. Roads and streets were patching plaster sanded flat and colored with acrylics. I think I'll probably take a similar approach on this layout. More about scenery in a later post. I'll try to also post some photos of my previous Idaho layout to show scenery examples.
One more thing...the railroad's name. I'm still working on the fictional mainline railroad's name, but for the port railroad I have settled on Gulf Harbor Terminal Railway. Guess that makes my port Gulf Harbor, Texas, somewhere west of Houston (and there's a lot of Texas west of Houston!).
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The NW-2 Arrived
The NW-2 switcher arrived promptly and is all I hoped it would be. I paid a little extra to have S Helper Service install scale wheelsets and wire it for DC running. What a nice locomotive! It has excellent detail.
We've had family visiting the last couple of weeks so work on my layout is just now resuming. I have several feet of track laid, including the first turnout. My Code 100 rail has been used on four previous layouts, as have my spikes...not bad recycling, I think! I'm using white pine for roadbed this time, and so far I like it better than homasote, especially the way it holds spikes.
I'm also researching websites for vintage photos and advertising signs I can use on my layout, though scenery construction is some months away. Laying track, wiring and testing the whole works thoroughly of course must come first. However, I do enjoy the historical research aspect of the hobby and I want to do my best to recreate the look of April 1947. From what I've found so far, it won't be a large shift from my previous layout's portrayal of 1939. Not much changed in the appearance of towns; World War II put a lot of things on hold.
We've had family visiting the last couple of weeks so work on my layout is just now resuming. I have several feet of track laid, including the first turnout. My Code 100 rail has been used on four previous layouts, as have my spikes...not bad recycling, I think! I'm using white pine for roadbed this time, and so far I like it better than homasote, especially the way it holds spikes.
I'm also researching websites for vintage photos and advertising signs I can use on my layout, though scenery construction is some months away. Laying track, wiring and testing the whole works thoroughly of course must come first. However, I do enjoy the historical research aspect of the hobby and I want to do my best to recreate the look of April 1947. From what I've found so far, it won't be a large shift from my previous layout's portrayal of 1939. Not much changed in the appearance of towns; World War II put a lot of things on hold.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Choosing a Year
Now that I'm starting a new layout, it's time to consider whether to stick with modeling 1939, or to try another era. It's not an easy choice for me, because I really like the look and feel of 1939, and my structures, vehicles and, of course, rolling stock are faithful to that year. Modeling Texas instead of Idaho will mean some changes, anyway: altering my 0-6-0 switcher (my only loco...so far) to represent an oil-burner rather than a coal-fired loco, new industries, different scenery, etc. Nothing drastic, really, if I stick with the same year.
But there's another consideration that has only recently come to mind. I'd like to have a second locomotive, another switcher, since I plan to model a terminal railroad in a small Texas port. Right now, there doesn't seem to be an S scale steam switcher that is both available and (for me) affordable. My 0-6-0 is a Rex kit purchased about 18 years ago from Sandusky. I've been very happy with it, but I'm mindful that it's no longer brand new and (I hope) I have at least another 20 years of active model railroading ahead.
While mulling this over, I ran across S Helper Service's NW-2 diesel on their excellent website. It's affordable, looks good, and, as it happens, is a loco first built in 1939! I first read about the NW-2 in the book "Vintage Diesels" and liked its appearance. It was a very successful locomotive, sold in droves to mainline railroads. So while it is unlikely a small terminal line on a tight budget would be able to buy an NW-2 in 1939, it is reasonable to assume it would acquire one within a few years, by the second half of the 1940's.
So I'm moving ahead in time a little, from September 1939 to April 1947, which happens to be the month and year I was born. Since 1947 didn't look much different than 1939, I can use my rolling stock, structures and vehicles with little modification...maybe a few signs will have to be changed, along with the feature film advertised on my movie theater marquee. In 1947 steam locos still outnumbered diesels six-to-one, and the 0-6-0 would have another half-dozen years or so of life remaining, so it can run alongside the NW-2.
I'm happy with my decision, and I just ordered the NW-2 today.
But there's another consideration that has only recently come to mind. I'd like to have a second locomotive, another switcher, since I plan to model a terminal railroad in a small Texas port. Right now, there doesn't seem to be an S scale steam switcher that is both available and (for me) affordable. My 0-6-0 is a Rex kit purchased about 18 years ago from Sandusky. I've been very happy with it, but I'm mindful that it's no longer brand new and (I hope) I have at least another 20 years of active model railroading ahead.
While mulling this over, I ran across S Helper Service's NW-2 diesel on their excellent website. It's affordable, looks good, and, as it happens, is a loco first built in 1939! I first read about the NW-2 in the book "Vintage Diesels" and liked its appearance. It was a very successful locomotive, sold in droves to mainline railroads. So while it is unlikely a small terminal line on a tight budget would be able to buy an NW-2 in 1939, it is reasonable to assume it would acquire one within a few years, by the second half of the 1940's.
So I'm moving ahead in time a little, from September 1939 to April 1947, which happens to be the month and year I was born. Since 1947 didn't look much different than 1939, I can use my rolling stock, structures and vehicles with little modification...maybe a few signs will have to be changed, along with the feature film advertised on my movie theater marquee. In 1947 steam locos still outnumbered diesels six-to-one, and the 0-6-0 would have another half-dozen years or so of life remaining, so it can run alongside the NW-2.
I'm happy with my decision, and I just ordered the NW-2 today.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Welcome!
As a lifelong model railroader, I'm glad to have this opportunity to write about this hobby that I have enjoyed so much. My start in this blog is a gift from my daughter Ann-Marie and her husband Brett, at the suggestion of my other daughter Jenny and her husband Craig, and I think it's a great idea! I hope that those who read this and view photos of my work will find it interesting and helpful. I know I've learned a lot and been inspired by others' work and the advice and information they've been kind enough to provide...and I'm still learning.
I'm a firm believer in Model Railroader magazine's longtime adage, "Model Railroading Is Fun." And, as one writer put it, "this is a hobby and not a religion." My personal approach is to strive for an accurate, scale representation of prototype railroading, faithful to locale and era. However, that's only one way to go about this hobby; for example, many years ago I visited a Seattle man's layout that "broke all the rules," that was quite a mixture of equipment, eras and even scales! And I've never seen anybody enjoy a layout more than that man did his! That's an important lesson.
Now, briefly, about me. I've been married to Susie for nearly 36 years, a VERY patient woman who has always encouraged me in my hobby. We're both Pacific Northwest natives and, until about a year ago, had always lived in that region, most recently in Boise, Idaho. Our daughters and their husbands relocated to the Houston area in 2008 and kindly suggested we do likewise. We did, and we sure like being close to them and our two granddaughters, Hayley and Emily.
I got started in this hobby at age 6 months when my Dad brought home an American Flyer S gauge train set, and I've stuck with it ever since, though now I model in S scale rather than "tinplate." Over the years I've tried to improve my modeling skills, and now I handlay my track and do quite a bit of scratchbuilding as well.
When we moved I of course dismantled my layout, which represented a small northern Idaho town in 1939 on a "freelance" short line typical of the area. Now I've just begun construction on a layout that will be set in a small Texas Gulf Coast port; I'm still nailing down the era, but I think I'm going to settle on 1947. I'll talk more about that decision in a later post.
I'm a firm believer in Model Railroader magazine's longtime adage, "Model Railroading Is Fun." And, as one writer put it, "this is a hobby and not a religion." My personal approach is to strive for an accurate, scale representation of prototype railroading, faithful to locale and era. However, that's only one way to go about this hobby; for example, many years ago I visited a Seattle man's layout that "broke all the rules," that was quite a mixture of equipment, eras and even scales! And I've never seen anybody enjoy a layout more than that man did his! That's an important lesson.
Now, briefly, about me. I've been married to Susie for nearly 36 years, a VERY patient woman who has always encouraged me in my hobby. We're both Pacific Northwest natives and, until about a year ago, had always lived in that region, most recently in Boise, Idaho. Our daughters and their husbands relocated to the Houston area in 2008 and kindly suggested we do likewise. We did, and we sure like being close to them and our two granddaughters, Hayley and Emily.
I got started in this hobby at age 6 months when my Dad brought home an American Flyer S gauge train set, and I've stuck with it ever since, though now I model in S scale rather than "tinplate." Over the years I've tried to improve my modeling skills, and now I handlay my track and do quite a bit of scratchbuilding as well.
When we moved I of course dismantled my layout, which represented a small northern Idaho town in 1939 on a "freelance" short line typical of the area. Now I've just begun construction on a layout that will be set in a small Texas Gulf Coast port; I'm still nailing down the era, but I think I'm going to settle on 1947. I'll talk more about that decision in a later post.
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